[ctdonath2]

Such standing orders are probably being changed from on high right now.

[Salvavida]

Not likely. This has been a policy for decades. The Marine detachments simply are not large enough to defend entire compounds. Plus, the inside of a chancery gives the tactical advantage to the Marines.

It’s a good policy overall. But if the host government isn’t going to own up their responsibility to protect the outside, it’s time for an evacuation.

[Truth29]

With Obama, the standing orders might end up being that the Marines are to put down their arms and organize the American diplomatic employees in neat lines to meet the Syrian mob.

[ichabod1]

So true. I should think beanbags would be enough to teach the demonstrators that they were making a bad choice.